Peace of mind for expectant parents

Publicly released: Sat 7 Dec 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS

A team led by Adelaide-based researchers has taken an important step towards validating the safety of intravenous magnesium sulphate as a treatment during pregnancy. Funder: Research Foundation of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Australia. Media Release Read more about Peace of mind for expectant parents - Scimex

Hire more LGBTQ and disabled astronomers or risk falling behind, review finds

Publicly released: Sat 7 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Astronomy

Analysis finds gender equity among star scientists improving, but big challenges remain. Ensuring research opportunities for indigenous, disabled and LGBTQ astronomers is essential if Australian research is to succeed in the new era of Read more about Hire more LGBTQ and disabled astronomers or risk falling behind, review finds - Scimex

Saving the ozone layer in 1987 slowed global warming

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 2300 AEDT | Sat 7 Dec 2019 at 0100 NZDT

Environmental Research Letters

It may have been an accidental side effect but new research shows that when the world's nations signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987 to ban CFCs and save the ozone layer they also signed an agreement that has already done more to slow global warming Read more about Saving the ozone layer in 1987 slowed global warming - Scimex

Symposium focuses on hot cities

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Adelaide – and cities around the world – are facing similar challenges: higher population density, reduced open spaces, rising urban heat, increasing need for cooling to combat the heat, and urban pollution. The Heat and Habitat in Cities Read more about Symposium focuses on hot cities - Scimex

Reducing chronic disease: we have the tools, but we're not using them

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

There are plenty of evidence-based policy options for reducing chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (like tobacco taxes or banning alcohol advertising). However, we are not doing a great job of using them, warns a new WHO Read more about Reducing chronic disease: we have the tools, but we're not using them - Scimex

Peanut allergy vaccine may help rewrite the immune system

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Peanut allergies could become a thing of the past as a new vaccine which has proved successful in human blood samples gets a boost towards human trials. The vaccine uniquely uses a virus-based platform to rewrite the body’s natural response to Read more about Peanut allergy vaccine may help rewrite the immune system - Scimex

Seahorse breeding project aims to recover endangered species from near extinction

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

To help recover declining populations of White’s seahorse, also known as the Sydney seahorse, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is implementing a breeding and conservation project in collaboration with organisations including the NSW Department of Primary Read more about Seahorse breeding project aims to recover endangered species from near extinction - Scimex

Changing eating behaviour may be as effective as drugs for reducing the nibbles, at least for rats

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

Want to do less nibbling? Changing your diet and eating behaviour between meals could be as effective as drugs designed to reduce appetite, at least if you are a rat, according to researchers from the UK. The team investigated the effect of appetite Read more about Changing eating behaviour may be as effective as drugs for reducing the nibbles, at least for rats - Scimex

Measles deaths surged worldwide in 2018

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Worldwide more than 140, 000 people died from measles in 2018, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. These deaths–mostly children–occurred as measles cases surged globally, amidst devastating outbreaks in all regions. Read more about Measles deaths surged worldwide in 2018 - Scimex

Gene network sparks future autism treatment

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Neuron

A mutated gene found in people with intellectual disabilities that could be targeted for treatment has been identified by an international team including University of Queensland researchers. Funder: This work was supported by R01MH107182 to P.P. We Read more about Gene network sparks future autism treatment - Scimex

Burnt forests benefit bats

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Some California bats thrive after wildfires, according to researchers who monitored bat populations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for three years. Of the 17 bat species in the area, six species flourished after forest fires, which the researchers Read more about Burnt forests benefit bats - Scimex

Not eating for 14 hours a day may come with many benefits

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Cell Metabolism

Time restricted eating (TRE) has been known to help reduce weight and blood pressure in mice, but now researchers in America have done a trial in humans that shows that TRE can have many other benefits for those with an increased risk of developing Read more about Not eating for 14 hours a day may come with many benefits - Scimex

Smartphone zombies: Distracted phone users rack up the head and neck injuries

Publicly released: Fri 6 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

The number of head and neck injuries has increased over the last 20 years with many cases resulting from distraction, especially after smartphones came into use around 2007, according to US research. The study of phone-related injuries found that Read more about Smartphone zombies: Distracted phone users rack up the head and neck injuries - Scimex

SCINEMA International Science Film Festival 2020 Entries Now Open!

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1530 AEDT | 1730 NZDT

Do you have an awesome science film to share with the world? SCINEMA, the largest science film festival in the southern hemisphere, is calling for entries for its 2020 festival. Media Release. From:RiAus. Now in its 20th year, SCINEMA (pronounced sci Read more about SCINEMA International Science Film Festival 2020 Entries Now Open! - Scimex

Call for disaster-specific pharmacy legislation

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Australian Health Review

Pharmacists caught up in the Australian bushfire crisis are being hampered from providing timely and effective treatment to displaced people due to outdated laws, according to QUT researchers. Funder: N/A. Media Release. From:Queensland University Read more about Call for disaster-specific pharmacy legislation - Scimex

Mobile devices blur work and personal privacy raising cyber risks

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

International Conference on Information Systems

Organisations aren’t moving quickly enough on cyber security threats linked to the drive toward using personal mobile devices in the workplace, warns a QUT privacy researcher. Dr Kenan Degirmenci from QUT’s Science and Engineering Faculty’s Read more about Mobile devices blur work and personal privacy raising cyber risks - Scimex

Car crash speed and severity not a good predictor of whiplash injury

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1259 AEDT | 1459 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Whether you will get whiplash after a car crash may come down to more than just the severity of the crash and the speed involved, according to a small Australian, Canadian and US study. The study used collision data, repair invoices, and crash Read more about Car crash speed and severity not a good predictor of whiplash injury - Scimex

Vaper’s lung scarring likened to metal damage

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

European Respiratory Journal

A rare form of lung scarring may be caused by vaping, say US physicians. In a one-off case study, doctors describe a patient with a distinctive pattern of damage typically seen in people who work with 'hard metals', such as cobalt or tungsten. The Read more about Vaper’s lung scarring likened to metal damage - Scimex

Rural decline not driven by water recovery

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Climatic Change

New research from the University of Adelaide has shown that climate and economic factors are the main drivers of farmers leaving their properties in the Murray-Darling Basin, not reduced water for irrigation as commonly claimed. Media Release. Read more about Rural decline not driven by water recovery - Scimex

Fatal child drownings: Chores a distraction in more than 4 out of 10 cases

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

New UNSW research is a timely reminder this summer that housework, socialising and miscommunication can become deadly distractions when young children are left alone in or near water. Indoor household duties alone were the main factor in almost one Read more about Fatal child drownings: Chores a distraction in more than 4 out of 10 cases - Scimex

Bendy bamboo helps us carry heavy loads

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Journal of Experimental Biology

If you've ever travelled to Southeast Asia, you have likely come across people carrying huge loads, sometimes greater than their own bodyweight, over their shoulders, slung to a bamboo pole. International and Aussie researchers suggest that the Read more about Bendy bamboo helps us carry heavy loads - Scimex

Half a million crabs killed by plastic debris on remote islands

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Journal of Hazardous Materials

In the first study of its kind, an IMAS-led research team estimates that around 570 000 hermit crabs have been killed on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean and Henderson Island in the Pacific after being trapped in plastic debris. Read more about Half a million crabs killed by plastic debris on remote islands - Scimex

Accessible work placements support equity and diversity in engineering

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 0915 AEDT | 1115 NZDT

Social capital, financial status and personal circumstances can impact engineering work placement experiences, leaving some students at a disadvantage, according to new research led by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) with The University of Read more about Accessible work placements support equity and diversity in engineering - Scimex

New tool to predict the global spread of dengue

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 0701 AEDT | 0901 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Researchers at CSIRO, QUT and Queensland Health have developed a new tool to predict the global spread of human infectious diseases, like dengue, and track them to their source. Media Release. From:Data61. Researchers at CSIRO, Australia’s Read more about New tool to predict the global spread of dengue - Scimex

Adding copper strengthens 3D-printed titanium

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Nature

Successful trials of titanium-copper alloys for 3D printing could kickstart a new range of high-performance titanium alloys for medical device, defence and aerospace applications. Funder: Australian Research Council. Media Release. From:RMIT Read more about Adding copper strengthens 3D-printed titanium - Scimex

Topical cream helps prevent alcohol flush

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Dermatology

A topical gel applied to the face before drinking can help reduce the symptoms of a red flush common in Asians when drinking, report US researchers. In a small trial of those who self-reported experiencing alcohol flushing syndrome, the gel (applied Read more about Topical cream helps prevent alcohol flush - Scimex

Children with food allergies seen faster under new paediatric model

Publicly released: Thu 5 Dec 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Children with food allergies are seen 10 months sooner and have fewer allergic reactions when treated by a paediatrician in their own community, a new study shows. Funder: The study was funded by a Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation grant. Read more about Children with food allergies seen faster under new paediatric model - Scimex

Teens must ‘get smart’ about social media

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

International Journal of Eating Disorders

New research indicates that social media is leading young adolescent girls and boys down a worrying path towards developing body image issues and eating disorder behaviours – even though they are smartphone savvy. The Australian research, Read more about Teens must ‘get smart’ about social media - Scimex

Cohabiting Aussies have similar effects on their partner's drinking habits as newlyweds

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Drug & Alcohol Review

An Australian study looked at cohabiting couples to investigate the influence each partner had on the other's drinking behaviour, and whether it was any different than in newly married couples. They surveyed 1, 483 newly cohabiting, Australian Read more about Cohabiting Aussies have similar effects on their partner's drinking habits as newlyweds - Scimex

Conceiving within six months of birth does not increase risk of diabetes

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1152 AEDT | 1352 NZDT

Annals of Epidemiology

Curtin University researchers have found insufficient evidence to suggest that falling pregnant again within six months of giving birth is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes. Media Release. From:Curtin University. Curtin Read more about Conceiving within six months of birth does not increase risk of diabetes - Scimex

Dogs can pick out familiar words from unfamiliar folk

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

Are you devastated every time you ask your pooch to do something, only for them to obey instantly when your partner requests it? Bad news - they can definitely understand you. New research from the UK finds dogs can distinguish familiar words, even Read more about Dogs can pick out familiar words from unfamiliar folk - Scimex

Sleeping on it doesn’t help eyewitnesses pick out perpetrators

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

UK researchers digging into the reliability of witness accounts in court have found getting a good night’s sleep doesn’t improve witnesses’recall. To test this, they got 4, 000 people to watch a mock-crime video and asked to identify the Read more about Sleeping on it doesn’t help eyewitnesses pick out perpetrators - Scimex

NEWS BRIEFING: Fossil fuel emissions growth slows in 2019 - Global Carbon Budget

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Global Carbon Budget

BRIEFING Recording now available Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels will continue to grow in 2019 but the rate of growth is slowing compared to previous years, according to new data from the Global Carbon Project, head-quartered in Australia. Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Fossil fuel emissions growth slows in 2019 - Global Carbon Budget - Scimex

Strong link between bad cholesterol and heart disease

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

You've heard it before, but now the most thorough analysis of its kind finds a strong link between cholesterol levels and long-term risk for heart disease and stroke - but this time it's not just boomers and octogenarians at risk. The German-led Read more about Strong link between bad cholesterol and heart disease - Scimex

Star-quake vibrations lead to new estimate for Milky Way age

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Data gathered by NASA’s now defunct Kepler telescope provides a solution to an astronomical mystery. Funder: The research was funded by the University of Sydney’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, the Australian Research Council, ASTRO 3D, the Read more about Star-quake vibrations lead to new estimate for Milky Way age - Scimex

Tiny Red handfish hatchlings a lifeline for world’s rarest fish

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0943 AEDT | 1143 NZDT

Fifty new born Red handfish are giving IMAS scientists an opportunity to help save the last known populations of the world’s rarest fish. The tiny Red handfish hatched in an IMAS aquarium this month from two egg masses collected at one of the last Read more about Tiny Red handfish hatchlings a lifeline for world’s rarest fish - Scimex

Fitness consultations in oncology care motivate child cancer survivors to be more active

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0940 AEDT | 1140 NZDT

Heart and Mind

Just one exercise physiology consultation is enough to improve motivation and exercise levels among most child cancer survivors, a UNSW Sydney study has found. Funder: The Behavioural Sciences Unit at Sydney Children's Hospital is supported by the Read more about Fitness consultations in oncology care motivate child cancer survivors to be more active - Scimex

Research on Australia’s cities and regions: siloed, lacking vision and underfunded

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0301 AEDT | 0501 NZDT

The sustainable transformation of Australia’s cities and regions is being hampered by institutional silos, perennial underfunding and lack of a national vision according to a new report by Future Earth Australia, a program of the Australian Read more about Research on Australia’s cities and regions: siloed, lacking vision and underfunded - Scimex

Artificial neurons could help fix broken brain circuits

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

UK and New Zealand researchers have built artificial neurons on silicon chips that can mimic the electrical responses of real, biological neurons. They built both hippocampal and respiratory neurons, which the researchers say could be used to repair Read more about Artificial neurons could help fix broken brain circuits - Scimex

Bacteria in a blood cell's clothing: how strep hides from the immune system

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Cell Reports

The bacterium that causes strep throat and other illnesses hides its presence from our immune system by wearing the cell-skin of red blood cells like a horrifying rendition of Hannibal Lecter on the microscopic scale, say US researchers. They say Read more about Bacteria in a blood cell's clothing: how strep hides from the immune system - Scimex

Experts call time on Big Pharma influence in healthcare

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The BMJ

An Aussie-led groups of international medical experts are calling for the health sector to disentangle from commercial interests. Financial ties with industry are embedded across the sector - in research, education, and practice - which the authors Read more about Experts call time on Big Pharma influence in healthcare - Scimex

Dangers of second-hand drinking: teen drinkers at high risk of assault and sexual harassment

Publicly released: Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Public Health Research & Practice

More than 70 per cent of teenage girls who are risky drinkers report unwanted sexual attention from other drinkers – just one of a multitude of harms young people experience from ‘second-hand drinking’, according to new Australian research. Read more about Dangers of second-hand drinking: teen drinkers at high risk of assault and sexual harassment - Scimex

Great Barrier Reef study shows how reef copes with rapid sea-level rise

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 2248 AEDT | Wed 4 Dec 2019 at 0048 NZDT

Sedimentary Geology

An unprecedented study of coral cores from the Great Barrier Reef by scientists at the University of Sydney has shown that rapid sea-level rise and increased sediment came close to killing the reef 7, 000 years ago. An emerging model shows how Read more about Great Barrier Reef study shows how reef copes with rapid sea-level rise - Scimex

Climate risks to health are growing but funding is lacking

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Most countries are not acting on their own plans to safeguard human health from climate change, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). Of the 100 countries surveyed by the WHO (including Australia and New Zealand), half Read more about Climate risks to health are growing but funding is lacking - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: WMO Provisional Statement on the State of the Climate

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 1930 AEDT | 2130 NZDT

COP25 - UN Climate Change Conference

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says, in their Provisional Statement on the State of the Climate, that 2019 ends a decade of exceptional global heat, retreating ice and record sea levels driven by greenhouse gasses from human activities. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: WMO Provisional Statement on the State of the Climate - Scimex

Through the eyes of animals

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Methods in Ecology and Evolution

Humans are a step closer to seeing what the world looks like through the eyes of animals, thanks to technology developed by researchers from The University of Queensland and the University of Exeter. Media Release. From:The University of Queensland. Read more about Through the eyes of animals - Scimex

Soil study shows Australia at its most stripped back

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 1545 AEDT | 1745 NZDT

Nature Communications

New research from The Australian National University (ANU) and Geoscience Australia could provide a much clearer picture of the Australian landscape, and how to better manage it under a changing climate. Funder: N/A. Media Release. From:The Read more about Soil study shows Australia at its most stripped back - Scimex

Raising plants to withstand climate change

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 1530 AEDT | 1730 NZDT

Plant Physiology

Success with improving a model plant’s response to harsh conditions is leading plant molecular researchers to move to food crops including wheat, barley, rice and chickpeas. Flinders University and La Trobe researchers in Australia are focusing on Read more about Raising plants to withstand climate change - Scimex

Measles rocketed in NZ and doubled in Australia over the last year

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

We've recently seen a surge in measles cases and devastating outbreaks in all regions of the world, according to the World Health Organization, which has released its stats summarising measles cases and deaths in 2018 and its figures for 2019 so far. Read more about Measles rocketed in NZ and doubled in Australia over the last year - Scimex

Half of people who are homeless may have experienced traumatic brain injury

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Public Health

One in two people who are homeless may have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in their lifetime, and almost a quarter may have experienced a traumatic injury that is moderate or severe according to a review of 38 studies over 23 years. The Read more about Half of people who are homeless may have experienced traumatic brain injury - Scimex